Premonition right for YSU’s Wolford vs. Indiana State

November 18, 2012

YSU coach Eric Wolford had a feeling before Saturday's game against Indiana State. He told his wife, Melinda, that "today was our day and good things were going to happen."

While I don't think Wolford is a psychic, and I'm sure Melinda has her own thoughts about how many times her husband is right, he was indeed correct.

Everything that the Penguins needed to go right did, and it resulted in the 27-6 victory over Indiana State.

Now, Wolford needs to have that feeling when he wakes up today.

Whether or not the Penguins are headed to the FCS Playoffs will be disclosed at 1:30 p.m., when the FCS Selection Show airs on ESPNU. If YSU gets in, it will be the first time since 2006 the Penguins have made a trip to the playoffs.

If YSU doesn't make it, many of the players, and even Wolford, have said that this season will be a let down, and even a failure.

I wouldn't use the word failure. I would use disappointing, because Saturday's game proved what the Penguins could have been all season.

Here are some bright spots of the 2012 campaign:

The Penguins won seven games for the first time since 2007.

YSU beat a BCS school for the first time since 2000.

Numerous young players saw heavy minutes, building a strong program for next year.

However, it's hard to see the positives when the negatives are what your season hangs on.

If the Penguins would have only lost to North Dakota State and South Dakota State, they would have went to bed Saturday knowing they are all but guaranteed a playoff berth.

However, the losses to Illinois State and Southern Illinois probably still give some players and coaches nightmares.

In both of those losses, the Penguins had a lead. In both of those losses, the second half plagued them, which resulted in no points on the board. And now, both of those losses are the reason the Penguins won't rest until they know the outcome of their Selection Sunday.

Defensive lineman Aronde Stanton said it best after Saturday's victory: "It kind of bothers me because we know there were a few games we left out there, or we wouldn't be in this situation. But it is what it is, and we put ourselves in this situation. Hopefully, the good Lord will take care of us."

If Wolford woke up today with the same feeling he had Saturday, then it could mean the Penguins are alive for another week. If the feeling proves to be wrong, the Penguins can feel disappointed that a season of promise didn't end the way they wanted it to.